NEW DELHI: India possess the potential to secure a third consecutive Test series victory in Australia, thanks to the exceptional quality of their bowling attack and the formidable batting lineup featuring the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, according to former head coach Ravi Shastri.
India have emerged victorious in the previous two Test series in Australia and have retained the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy since the Kangaroos last achieved a 2-0 series win on their home turf in early 2015.
“With (Jasprit) Bumrah fit, (Mohammed) Shami fit, you’ve got Mohammed Siraj there. You’ve got the likes of (Ravinchandran) Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja and some very good bench strength as well… One can’t wait for that series to start and (I think) India can do the hat-trick (of series victories in Australia),” Shastri told ICC.
Despite Australian legend Ricky Ponting’s recent prediction of a 3-1 series win for his nation, Shastri maintains that Indian bowlers are capable of delivering success, provided their batsmen rise to the occasion.
“It is going to be one heck of a series and India have every chance of making it a hat-trick because they’ve got their bowlers fit and if they can bat well, they can tickle (beat) Australia once again,” said Shastri.
India are set to embark on a five-match series in Australia, commencing with the Test match in Perth this November.
“The Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia over five Test matches is going to be a humdinger.
“Remember, India have beaten Australia twice on the last two tours and Australia have not had a hand on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in almost a decade and that’s the reason why everyone will be waiting for these two heavyweights of Test match cricket over the last five to eight years to go head-to-head,” added Shastri.
Shastri believes that the Australian team, also boasting a potent bowling lineup, will be driven by a desire for revenge due to the back-to-back series defeats they have endured in the last two editions of the contest.
“We know what Australia will be wanting (revenge). They will be thirsty, they’d be looking to go at the throats of the Indians because they’ve been beaten there (in Australia) twice.
“The attack is pretty much the same. One of the greatest fast bowling attacks — (one of the greatest) all-round attacks when you add Nathan Lyon there -– in a long, long time. And one of the best in the history of the game. They’ll be looking for those 20 wickets, game after game to help Australia win the series.”
“It’s going to be India’s batting against the Australian fast bowlers. And of course, the Indian bowling attack is going to be something everyone will be waiting to see,” he added.
India have emerged victorious in the previous two Test series in Australia and have retained the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy since the Kangaroos last achieved a 2-0 series win on their home turf in early 2015.
“With (Jasprit) Bumrah fit, (Mohammed) Shami fit, you’ve got Mohammed Siraj there. You’ve got the likes of (Ravinchandran) Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja and some very good bench strength as well… One can’t wait for that series to start and (I think) India can do the hat-trick (of series victories in Australia),” Shastri told ICC.
Despite Australian legend Ricky Ponting’s recent prediction of a 3-1 series win for his nation, Shastri maintains that Indian bowlers are capable of delivering success, provided their batsmen rise to the occasion.
“It is going to be one heck of a series and India have every chance of making it a hat-trick because they’ve got their bowlers fit and if they can bat well, they can tickle (beat) Australia once again,” said Shastri.
India are set to embark on a five-match series in Australia, commencing with the Test match in Perth this November.
“The Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia over five Test matches is going to be a humdinger.
“Remember, India have beaten Australia twice on the last two tours and Australia have not had a hand on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in almost a decade and that’s the reason why everyone will be waiting for these two heavyweights of Test match cricket over the last five to eight years to go head-to-head,” added Shastri.
Shastri believes that the Australian team, also boasting a potent bowling lineup, will be driven by a desire for revenge due to the back-to-back series defeats they have endured in the last two editions of the contest.
“We know what Australia will be wanting (revenge). They will be thirsty, they’d be looking to go at the throats of the Indians because they’ve been beaten there (in Australia) twice.
“The attack is pretty much the same. One of the greatest fast bowling attacks — (one of the greatest) all-round attacks when you add Nathan Lyon there -– in a long, long time. And one of the best in the history of the game. They’ll be looking for those 20 wickets, game after game to help Australia win the series.”
“It’s going to be India’s batting against the Australian fast bowlers. And of course, the Indian bowling attack is going to be something everyone will be waiting to see,” he added.
